25 Apr 07
In the lead up to May Day next week, SDP leaders and activists will conduct a series of activities to commemorate International Workers' Day.
One of the main events will be the Walk for Workers in Singapore where Dr Chee Soon Juan and Ms Chee Siok Chin will attempt to walk across the island of Singapore.
Starting from the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, the two will walk west to Jurong, then head north to Woodlands, proceed to Pasir Ris in the east and then finish back at Hong Lim Park.
The entire journey is expected to take approximately 55 hours with rest and meal breaks. It will cover approximately 150 km. The walkers will begin at 6 am on Sunday, 29 Apr, and finish on May Day, Tuesday, 1 May.
The Chees ran a marathon in 2000 to mark International Human Rights Day. The 26-mile run marked the numbers of years Chia Thye Poh was imprisoned by the PAP. For details of the occasion see http://www.singapore-window.org/sw00/001209sc.htm.
The aim of the walk is to focus attention on the exploitation of Singapore's workers by the Government and recent raising of the GST adding to the financial burden of the working class.
The walk will also be part of the continuing rebuke of the ministers increasing their salaries to unconscionable levels despite the poor getting poorer in this country. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pays himself $260,000 a month while workers make as little as $400 monthly.
Logistical support is needed for this exercise. Anyone and everyone who wants to help out can contact the Singapore Democrats at speakup@singaporedemocrat.org. Details of the walk will be announced over the next few days.
The second activity will be the launching of an online SDP report on poverty and labour in Singapore which exposes the PAP's inept handling of Singapore's economy.
Democracy activists will also attend a seminar to be held in the next few days where the development of leadership skills for NGO leaders will be discussed.
Finally, SDP leaders will be at Speakers' Corner on May Day (next Tuesday) starting at 12 noon to welcome Dr Chee and Ms Chee on the completion of their walk as well as to speak on the hardships faced by workers in Singapore.
So keep your eyes and ears open for details and join us in our continued endeavour to empower Singaporeans and to restore the rights of our workers.
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